Latin American Students Look to Europe: A Growing & Diversifying Connection
Jorge Barrios
As the international education community gathers in Gothenburg for EAIE 2025, one trend stands out: Latin American students are increasingly choosing Europe as a destination for full degree programs.
While the US and Canada remain important, Europe is capturing new momentum, with countries across the continent reporting record growth in Latin American enrollments.
Spain: A Record-Breaking Magnet
Spain has become a benchmark for the entire region. In 2022/23, the country hosted more than 240,000 international students, with nearly half coming from Latin America.
Colombia (23,600 students) is now Spain’s second-largest sending country overall.
Mexican enrollments grew 36% year-on-year, while Peru, Chile, and Ecuador also showed double-digit increases.
Shared language and cultural proximity make Spain the natural first choice — but its success is also inspiring institutions across Europe to look more closely at Latin America.
Italy: Building Bridges with Latin America
Italy is stepping up its efforts to engage the region. With more English-taught programs and targeted scholarships, universities in Milan, Rome, and Bologna are now attracting growing numbers of students from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.
What was once a niche flow is turning into a strategic opportunity, as Italian institutions diversify their student base and strengthen internationalization.
France: Growth Supported by Policy
France remains a major European destination, hosting over 25,000 Latin American and Caribbean students. Between 2017 and 2022, enrollments from Central America and the Caribbean grew by 40%, driven by Campus France initiatives and regional scholarships.
Business, STEM, and creative industries are leading areas of attraction, supported by alumni networks that reinforce France’s appeal across the region.
Germany: Scale Meets Latin American Demand
Germany is now Europe’s largest host country, with over 420,000 international students in 2023. Latin Americans represent around 5% of this total, translating into tens of thousands of degree-seeking students from Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
Low tuition, globally ranked institutions, and a growing number of English-language master’s programs make Germany an increasingly competitive option for ambitious Latin American students.
Ireland: A Language-Friendly Alternative
Ireland has experienced a surge of Brazilian students in recent years, initially through language programs but increasingly into higher education degrees.
With English-medium instruction and student-friendly visa frameworks, Ireland is becoming a credible alternative to the UK for Latin American students seeking quality degrees in Europe.
Scandinavia: Niche but Rising
Though smaller in scale, Scandinavian universities are building academic links with Latin America:
Sweden hosts the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies (NILAS), welcoming PhD researchers and offering specialized programs.
Universities in Sweden and Denmark are expanding English-taught offerings in business, international studies, and development, attracting degree-seeking students from Latin America.
A growing diaspora in countries like Sweden (114,000 people of Latin American origin) provides cultural and social foundations for further academic exchange.
Scandinavia may not yet match Spain or Germany in volume, but it is establishing a reputation for research collaboration and niche program appeal.
Why This Matters
The rise of Latin American students in Europe signals a shift from short-term exchanges to full degree mobility.
Colombians are especially degree-focused abroad.
Brazilians are showing increased interest in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, not just language programs.
Mexicans, Peruvians, and Chileans are diversifying destinations, with double-digit growth rates in European enrollments.
This creates opportunities for European universities to deepen ties with the region, building sustainable pipelines of talent while offering Latin American students new pathways to global careers.
Looking Ahead
At EAIE 2025, we are impressed by the level of engagement from European universities — not only Spain but also Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia.
The message is clear: Latin American students are no longer looking only westward. They are looking to Europe in all its diversity.
This evolving connection benefits both sides — providing Latin American students with world-class education opportunities, while enriching European campuses with diversity, resilience, and long-term commitment.
